Back from Boston

I’m back on French soil for my birthday today after an overnight flight from Boston. The trip was fine. It was useful to spend some time with a few European colleagues and to meet some new American ones. It was also enjoyable because for the first time since I arrived I managed to spend some time with a few key clients. So far it’s been a lot of internal reorganization and 2012 planning so it was nice to get back to what I actually like doing.

Boston seemed a nice enough place…I went out for a 5 mile run each day to try and see a bit of the city. However because of the jet lag I ended up going running at around 5AM and because it was pitch black, it meant it was difficult to judge just how nice a place it really was. Away from this rather underwhelming sight seeing, it was also useful to listen to some of the presenters – EMC had wheeled out all the big wigs, so at least I now know the corporate line I am meant to be towing. It was definitely good to get that overview as I think about how to structure my own group in Europe and place demands on our Indian colleagues in Bangalore.

The flight back was ok although at times it felt like the whole of the cabin were taking turns to nudge me to wake me up as they walked past my aisle seat. I dread to think how tortured inmates cope with sleep deprivation although I suspect they don’t get woken up to eat a nice chicken risotto and chocolate brownie.